Tsutenkaku Tower
Nearly every major city in Japan has its tower, and while they all offer lovely views, most are not much to look at themselves. But Shin Sekai's Tsutenkaku breaks this trend with its decidedly unique appearance. Built in 1912 with the rest of Shin Sekai, the original tower merged Paris's Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower into a single design. Though the original was damaged after a fire and then dismantled to supply iron for Japan's war effort, it was redesigned and rebuilt in 1956. On the face of the tower is Japan's largest clock (changing color by the minute); the top displays different-color LED lights to indicate the weather. Charmingly gaudy, Tsutenkaku is considered one of the symbols of Osaka, and looks most striking when lit-up in neon colors at night. The 91-meter (299-foot) high observation deck provides a good view of the city and a chance to meet Billiken, Shin Sekai's deity of "things as they ought to be.”
